1832.] On the Utility of Cess-pools in Calcutta. 101 



open spots, where they have been properly inclosed and covered. The 

 average expense of constructing the largest sized wells is Rs. 50, 

 6mall ones can be completed for 15 or 20 Rs. 



The well in No. % Hare-street, affords a good example of the utility 

 of the plan. It was constructed to receive the washings of the cook- 

 room. For 9 months it has perfectly succeeded, not the slightest smell 

 having ever been perceptible from it ; the water in it has stood a few 

 inches only above the water in a neighbouring well of pure water, and 

 the nuisance created by a stream of black fluid, that used to issue from 

 the aperture of the cook-room, and travel, or attempt to travel, some 

 hundred feet through the compound into the public surface drain, has 

 been completely removed. 



This is an experiment which may perhaps attract attention ; by the 

 same meam the occupants of large premises may provide a remedy for 

 a serious inconvenience, that the best conceivable plan of general drain- 

 age would very imperfectly reach. The expense of the well was only 

 19 Rs. Besides the wells adverted to in the annexed papers, there are 

 many others that have long been used in private houses, both in the 

 town and suburbs, with advantage. 



In Fort William, and at Chinsurah, they have been greatly approved 

 of, and are in constant use ; the state of all has been carefully examined 

 from time to time. 



There are in the House of Correction two wells, one used by about 8 

 European prisoners, the other by about 100 natives. Not the slightest 

 smell is perceivable from either of the wells themselves. The native 

 one was also used as a receptacle for the filth accumulated in the pri- 

 soners' cells at night. This was too much for it. About the end of the 

 rains it was nearly filled, and had to be shut up; the fluid in it gradually 

 decreased, and has fallen up to this time to a level of 5 feet below the 

 top ; and about 3-| feet higher than that used by the small number of 

 Europeans. A candle has been burnt m it without being in any manner 

 affected. 



In the Police Office, there are three wells; these have never been in 

 any way offensive, and the light of a candle burnt in them has not been 

 affected. The following is a report on the subject from Mr. McCann. 



" I examined the cess-pools in the Police compound yesterday. The 

 smell complained of, I found owing to an accumulation of filth in the 

 corner, between the raised cylinder of the well and the walls of the 

 godown, in which it (the large one) is placed. I found, on standing 

 over the well itself, that no smell whatever proceeded from it. 



" The depth of space free of water or filth in the well, No. 1, was 

 about 3 feet ; No. 2, 4 feet ; and No. 3, A\ or 5 feet, on the above date. 



